The POTUS awarded the Argentine star the highest honor a citizen can receive, reserved for “individuals with exemplary contributions.”
The United States government, led by Joe Biden, has awarded Lionel Messi the Medal of Freedom, the country's highest award reserved for civilians, just fifteen days before his term ends.
This distinguished merit was established in July 1945 by Executive Order 9586, the provisions of which have been amended several times since then.
Sportsmen and women honored by the POTUS
At this year's medal ceremony, Messi was one of two athletes recognized, along with basketball legend Magic Johnson, who retired shortly after the 1992 Olympics but continues to perform in various parts of the country with help from the NBA .
Many individuals who have excelled in the world of sports have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Some, like legendary baseball star Babe Ruth and Jim Thorpe, the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal, received the award posthumously.
Megan Rapinoe, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Simone Biles were the most recent athletes to receive this award from the US federal government. What's special about Messi, however, is that he has only been living on North American soil for a year and a half and has made just 39 appearances for Inter Miami in all competitions since landing in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi, an American dream
Ever since he arrived in July 2023, Messi has enjoyed a measure of success in MLS. In his first weeks he contributed to achieving the Leagues Cup – the first official trophy in Inter Miami's history, and in his second season he won the Copa América with Argentina.
With the new MLS season fast approaching, he's looking to add more silverware as Inter Miami has the chance to win five cups in 2025. And the following year, with the World Cup taking place in the United States, Mexico and Canada – something Leo can look forward to.
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